American Tightens Its Ticket Policies

August 31, 2002|By Tom Stieghorst Business Writer

American Airlines announced new rules for nonrefundable tickets, including a $100 fee to fly standby using one.

The new rules are similar to those announced earlier this week by US Airways. Domestic travelers with a nonrefundable American ticket will still be able to change itineraries before departure, but must specify new travel dates for each leg of the trip beforehand. If they do not, the ticket becomes worthless.

Currently, travelers can cancel a scheduled trip and have up to a year to apply the value of the non-refundable ticket towards another American flight.

American charges $100 to change an itinerary on a nonrefundable ticket. It said the penalty fee remains the same.

The change is effective for tickets bought on or after Aug. 30 for travel on or after Oct. 1.

In addition, American said it will start charging a $100 fee to holders of nonrefundable tickets who want to fly standby on an earlier or later flight than the one they are ticketed for. That change applies to tickets bought on or after Aug. 30 for travel on or after Jan. 1.

The switch adds momentum for an industrywide rethinking of the non-refundable category that was kicked off by US Airways this week. Analysts said US Airways was trying to drive more business fliers towards full-fare or higher fare tickets and discourage them from using cheaper restricted tickets.

American is the largest carrier at Miami International Airport, with over 50 percent of the traffic. It has about 10 percent of the market at the airport in Fort Lauderdale and about 5 percent at the airport in West Palm Beach.

Tom Stieghorst can be reached at tstieghorst@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5008.